If it was social media that dominated the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, it is the mobile and tablet apps that are creating all the buzz in the Assembly elections in the state.
By Parthasarathi Biswas
Politicians in Maharashtra seem to be increasingly taking to apps to reach out to voters. Besides the social and alternate media, candidates have taken to their “downloadable individual apps” in an effort to woo the voters.
As surveys continue to point to the increased use of smartphones in cities like Pune, political parties are making no efforts to miss out on using this to their advantage.
Mukesh Agrawal, the marketing head of Anomaly Solutions, a company that develops apps, says apps are the easiest and the quickest way to reach out to voters. “When we develop apps, we tell the candidates that this would be their medium to interact with the voters even after the elections.
As the apps can be easily updated, the people in the constituency can be kept in the loop about the developments and work done by the candidate,” he says. Of the sitting MLAs of Pune district, Laxman Jagtap, Vilas Lande and Vijay Shivtare have already released their free apps, while many others are in the process of following suit. Agrawal says their company had developed apps for 12-odd politicians in the state, while talks were on with at least 30 more.
“The apps are unique as they are responsive and easy to use. They can be accessed by all,” he adds. Other than Anomaly, there are around eight to 10 companies that are developing apps for politicians. The app of Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil, the Shiv Sena MP from Shirur, has had 1,000 downloads since its launch in April this year.
Similarly, the app of Chinchwad MLA Laxman Jagtap, which was launched in August, has had 5,000 downloads, while that of Bhosari MLA Vilas Lande, which was launched only 10 days ago, has already been downloaded 500 times. Among other state politicians, Jalna MP and Union minister Raosaheb Danve and Unmesh Patil have their own apps. All major political parties in the state also have their apps ready, while the BJP has its separate app for the state.
NCP youth leader Ameya Jagtap says it is one of the best modes to reach out to a class which is tech-savy. “The use of apps is an emerging trend this election and we will be using it to the fullest,” he says.